A recent report names Washington as the third-best area in the nation for young job seekers. Despite the abundance of low-paying non-profit jobs and entry-level media positions, 15% of residents under 25 earn over $75,000 a year. So where are these jobs and how do we cash in on the high-paying gigs?

It seems the answer is that many Washington workers benefit from higher education. D.C. and its surrounding suburbs have the second-highest percentage of 18-34 year-olds with at least an undergrad diploma. Over 36% of young workers hold a degree. Only Raleigh and Boston edged out D.C., but it was still a close race, and who wants to live there anyway?

It’s already clear that folks willing to shell out a pretty penny are flocking to the District. Fewer apartments are vacant despite renters paying the fastest-growing highest rents in the nation. It’s a cliche of course to suggest that D.C. is often a layover for people off to what they see as bigger and better things, but the potential District slogan “I moved here for work” certainly resonated with our readers. So we’re curious: where are the high earners among us living, working and playing? Are they all crammed into a studio in Dupont Circle or opting for the spacious confines of the suburbs? And might the answer make a difference in whether or not they decide to make our metro area their permanent home?

Photo by Flickr user Eye Captain.